Morihei Ueshiba founded Aikido at the start of the 20th century after conducting extensive research on numerous armed and unarmed martial arts. As a result, you’ll see that the Aikido martial art from Japan is a complete approach of joint-locking, throwing, striking, and pinning techniques. Using swords, staffs, and knives can be seen as the methodologies diverging from Ueshiba’s influence.
Aikido is a powerful refinement of hundreds of years of Japanese martial arts knowledge and weapon tactics. Today, you’ll learn some fascinating details about aikido bokken below. Are you excited? Read on!
What is a bokken?
A Bokken is a weapon Aikido and other Japanese martial arts practitioners use. Students use it to learn sword art. The bokken, or wooden sword, is employed for training in Aikido because it is safer than practising on an absolute and potentially dangerous razor-sharp katana.
Who first introduced bokken?
Miyamoto Musashi, a swordsman during the era, invented the bokken in 1584. Upon its creation, its primary use was to train warriors, particularly samurai.
Bokuto
Although it’s popularly known as bokken, the compelling fact is it isn’t referred to as that in Japan. In truth, it is called “bokuto”, and it’s best to use it when you’re in a day-to-day conversation when you’re conversing with Japanese Aikido practitioners.
Bokken for safer weapon practising.
As soon as you see a bokken, you’d notice its simple wooden construction. Thus, you’ll understand it requires less care and overall maintenance than a katana.
Because of its wooden structure, the mortal risk associated with it is pretty low. As a result, students and teachers can practise dutifully using the bokken in their Aikido techniques.
It’s not meant for sparring.
Although it’s a fact that it offers lower mortal risk, it is not meant for sparring. Initially, people presume that aikido bokken is a high-priority utilisation in sparring. Yet, the truth is it isn’t an advisable sparring weapon. It can be less dangerous than a katana but will still cause harm.
When is it best used? It is most suitable in kata.
White Oak and Red Oak
As aforementioned, aikido bokken is made from wood. And these are traditionally composed of either white oak or red oak. But, there have been accounts of when the bokken was constructed through hardwood and pinewood.
When it comes to its weight, it also ranges from 700 grams up to 1.5 kilograms. Most students prefer a mid-range weight of 800g for training.
Do Aikido beginners use bokken in training?
Many students indeed find it fascinating to use a bokken as a part of their training in Aikido. However, not all students are given the privilege to do so, particularly when they’re still beginners in martial arts.
You will not need to learn to handle one as a beginner, especially in your first class. You have to go through certain levels of your Aikido program before you are allowed to incorporate weapons into your training.
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